Related Links

If you like "The Sopranos" on HBO, then William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" at The University of Texas-Pan American Theatre should be a hit with you. The performance runs February 25-29 at the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre.

According to Brian Warren, the director, "The Sopranos can't hold a candle to Shakespeare's JC when it comes to the use of violence to achieve personal gain."

"Tony deals in trash, but Julius Caesar deals in countries - raiding nations to reduce the gross national debt of Rome, and to enhance his stature with the public," Warren said. "The play may be a few 100 years old, but the message is for today."

To reinforce this message, Warren has the play "move through time," so the characters are first seen in an ancient setting, and then get more modern in their dress as the play progresses, to remind the audience that basic human behavior and the politics of power struggle have remained unchanged through the ages.

"They don't end up facing off in a trash dump on the Jersey shore, but the audience will get the idea," he said.

Tom Grabowski's scene design and Kate Ellis' costume selections help to make this point clear.

Tickets to the University Theatre's production of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" are selling fast said Box Office Manager Elva Galvan.

"We added three special matinees for students and they sold out a month ago," Galvan said. "We are taking night reservations for the production and we have special group rates for any group of 10 or more that makes a reservation."

"We don't usually get this many reservations so far ahead of a performance date," Galvan said. "Since this play is so famous, and so many people read it in high school, the demand has been terrific."

The Feb. 25-28 show will start at 8 p.m. Tickets will also be available for a Sunday, Feb. 29, 2 p.m. matinee. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and one hour prior to each performance. While the play is designed for adult audiences and junior and senior high school students, it is not recommend for children below that age.